The Saint in New York

The Saint in New York

Year: 1938

Runtime: 69 mins

Language: English

Director: Ben Holmes

CrimeThriller

Dubbed a modern Robin Hood, Simon Templar is called in by the New York police commissioner to quell a city‑wide crime spree. Using disguise and unorthodox tactics, he dismantles two ruthless crime bosses, only to uncover a hidden mastermind pulling the strings behind the city’s corruption.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Saint in New York (1938)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Saint in New York (1938). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

New York City

The story unfolds in New York City, a sprawling metropolis of crowded streets, banks, and shadowy backrooms. It is a setting where organized crime thrives and public trust is tested by official witnesses and corrupt officials. The Saint navigates the urban maze, using disguises and daring actions to target criminals among the city’s vibrant neighborhoods.

🗽 New York City 🕵️ Crime 🌃 Urban noir

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:52

Main Characters – The Saint in New York (1938)

Meet the key characters of The Saint in New York (1938), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Simon Templar (The Saint) - Louis Hayward

A British amateur detective who operates outside the law to dismantle criminal operations in New York. He is fearless, resourceful, and willing to bend rules to deliver justice. He uses disguises—most notably posing as a nun—to get close to targets and take down a six-strong hit list.

🧭 Detective 🗺️ Adventure 🕵️‍♂️ Charismatic

Fay Edwards - Kay Sutton

A mysterious woman whose loyalties are tested as she navigates a criminal landscape. She guides the Saint toward the Big Fellow and saves his life on two occasions, all while witholding crucial information about the mastermind.

💃 Femme Fatale 🗝️ Secrets 💖 Ally

Inspector Henry Fernack - Jonathan Hale

A police inspector under pressure to curb the gangster plague engulfing the city. He represents the official pursuit of justice and is repeatedly at odds with the Saint’s unorthodox methods.

🔎 Inspector 🧭 Law 🧩 Authority

William Valcross - Frederick Burton

A respected leading citizen and Crime Commission member who pushes drastic measures. He orchestrates the Saint’s recruitment and is willing to kill Fay to protect the profits of crime, revealing his moral compromises.

🎭 Power 🧭 Manipulation 💼 Corruption

Hutch Rellin - Sig Ruman

One of the six gangsters targeted by the Saint. He embodies the criminal threat in the city and stands as a formidable obstacle to the Saint’s plan to restore order.

🕶️ Gangster 🗡️ Threat 💣 Danger

Jacob S. 'Jake' Irbell - Lester Dorr

A key target on the Saint’s list, Irbell is part of the criminal web the Saint seeks to dismantle. The Saint kills him just as he is about to shoot Inspector Fernack, signaling a turning point in the mission.

💥 Target 🗺️ Crime 🕵️‍♂️ Investigation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:52

Major Themes – The Saint in New York (1938)

Explore the central themes of The Saint in New York (1938), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Vigilantism

The Saint operates outside the law to dismantle criminal networks, suggesting that extraordinary measures may be deemed necessary in a city overrun by gangsters. The narrative raises questions about justice when formal prosecutions fail and a lone agent takes matters into his own hands. His actions blur the line between hero and vigilante. Disguises and fatal force underscore the moral ambiguity of extralegal justice.

💼 Corruption

William Valcross uses his Crime Commission position to push drastic solutions, revealing how power can be weaponized to influence law enforcement. The mastermind behind the crimes manipulates the system, while profits are funneled through secret channels. The Saint’s mission exposes the rot beneath respectable society and the danger of letting private motives steer public safety.

💘 Romance

Fay Edwards becomes the Saint’s reluctant ally, providing crucial intelligence while drawing his attention. Their attraction develops amid danger, creating tension between trust and secrecy. Fay’s loyalty is tested as she withholds identities, yet her actions save the Saint’s life and push the mission forward. The romance adds emotional stakes to a high-stakes pursuit.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:52

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Noir Vigilante Movies like The Saint in New York

A lone operator uses unorthodox methods to dismantle a criminal underworld.If you enjoyed The Saint in New York, you'll find similar thrillers in this collection. These movies feature calculating heroes battling corruption in grim urban settings, blending fast-paced action with a morally complex, tense, and shadowy noir vibe.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically involves a skilled outsider being recruited or compelled to systematically target a list of corrupt figures. As they succeed, they uncover a deeper conspiracy, leading to a final confrontation with a hidden mastermind. The journey is marked by tactical dismantling of criminal operations and dangerous liaisons.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on a vigilante's gritty crusade against systemic corruption. They deliver a specific mix of tactical action, a grim and tense mood, and a protagonist who blurs the line between hero and criminal, often resulting in a bittersweet resolution.

Bittersweet Crime Endings like in The Saint in New York

The criminals are defeated, but the victory is shadowed by personal loss.Discover movies with endings similar to The Saint in New York, where the criminal plot is solved but the victory is tempered by sacrifice. These films offer a realistic, emotionally resonant conclusion that balances justice with loss, perfect for viewers who appreciate complex resolutions.

bittersweetgrimtensemoral ambiguitysacrificenoircalculating

Narrative Summary

The plot follows a standard investigative or vigilantism structure, building towards a successful climax where the antagonist is defeated. However, a key event—often the death of an ally or the protagonist's own moral descent—casts a pall over the victory. The ending acknowledges the win but emphasizes its heavy price.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects films based on their emotionally complex conclusions. They share a narrative pattern where the primary conflict is resolved, but the emotional journey concludes on a note of poignant sacrifice, creating a more memorable and thought-provoking experience than a purely happy ending.

Unlock the Full Story of The Saint in New York

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Saint in New York in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Saint in New York is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Saint in New York Summary

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The Saint in New York Summary

The Saint in New York Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Saint in New York with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Saint in New York Timeline

The Saint in New York Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Saint in New York Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Saint in New York

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Saint in New York: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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